Where I Come From: Tailgating Traditions

It was first with the Goldfellas where it involved no grilled meat, plenty of rum and bourbon and lots and lots of pom-poms,paint, and wigs. It was fun, but not much tailgating involved..more like pre-game tradition.

For the past two years it was find my parents before the game (across from Bird’s group) and tailgate at a leisurely pace, wander around and talk (boring). It was really just too slow. For some reason we moved from one corner to the IC to another and that was just a bad idea.

This is the plan for this year.
1. Our group has since grown and we will merge with Bird’s group. We will become a tailgating conglomerate.
2. Game of Choice: Cornhole. I’m not good at it but it’s addicting.
3. Mixed Drink of Choice: Jim Beam and Coke. I think it mixes fantastically!
3. Beer of Choice: It varies. But Miller Lite is a good default. Hop City Craft Beer and Wine is right around the corner from Tech, so there will be plenty of craft beer.
4. Food: My mom is a great tailgating chef and every game its different depending on the kickoff time. So I let her make the decision and I just eat it. And let me tell you, it’s NOT just burgers and hot dogs. How about fajitas, grilled roast beef sandwiches, fried chicken, etc.

As a fraternity man, allow me to offer a unique perspective. Blending old-school and new-school to honor THE BEST school! Our gameday revolves around hospitality and a social atmosphere with family and friends.

First, we get up early and start getting the house clean and ready. We fire up the grill, get the drinks (the family-friendly ones) ready, and set up the buffet-style spread out front.

Next we all dress up to honor old collegian tradition. Some of our more Carolinian brothers sport bow ties and seersucker, some of our more Southwestern men like blazers and cowboy boots. Most like some blend of an Ivy league look. We shun Navy in favor of shades of yellow (gold if you can find it) and white.

But what point is there in looking good if there’s no one to appreciate it? We bring a date to the tailgate and the game. The house is opened to alumni, family, friends (even if they are for the opposing team), and ladies. Everything is about hospitality.

In the front yard it’s all Southern music, grilled meats (burgers, brisket and whole pig are a few we’ve had on rotation), desserts from moms, alumni-wives, sisters and girlfriends, and icy sodas (we have a seperate tailgate for those who like a stiffer drink).

So that accounts for the old. What about the new? Our yard games evolve with what people want to have. These days it’s cornhole and ladder-ball (it has many names I hear) usually, but sometimes the guys can’t stay away from tossing a football around to get their minds in the game.

Over all the sights, smells, sounds, tastes and atmosphere of gameday in the Greek neighborhood is unforgettable. I hope to bring my kids one day to that same tailgate and let them get a taste of Southern college life at my fraternity.

Since I haven’t lived in Georgia since 98, all of my gameday traditions end up being a Home/Away affair. When the wife and I are at the game (my Away), we always stay at the Westin and we usually stay a day before and after the game. The day before we spend time walking around campus, going to the student center to try catching a glimpse of a coach or player, and of course we always stop at the Barnes & Noble to buy new gear and other T collectibles. Saturday we try to partake in any activities before the game and always eat at the Varsity right before the game and always get back to the stadium to watch the players walk in. We usually don’t jump into the tailgating scene because we are usually on the wrong side and we don’t know anyone there. Maybe this year we can meet up with some of the readers here though. The next day usually involves hanging around the campus, Underground Atlanta, and eating at Hard Rock or The Vortex.

When we can’t make the trip (my Home), then I try to invite neighborhood friends over for grilling, drinking, and a long day of watching as many of our teams as possible. With the exception of the Wife, no dawgs allowed, but we end up having all of the Florida schools represented. Food includes ribs, racks of lamb, burgers, wings, brats & other sausages, multiple chickens, and all sorts of good southern fixin’s. Beer is usually the drink of choice, but Crown and Coke is a strong second, followed by other assorted spirits.

Regardless of where I am, gamedays are a dedicated time with zero exceptions and it’s always an enjoyable experience for all involved.

You can keep the Grove in Oxford, and thousands of drunk inbreds in expensive RV’s in Athens. I’ll take a “Ham and”, Bag of Rags, PC, Fried Pie.

Rebel Yell and Coke. Before the alcohol nazis ruined CFB, we would mix up a couple of pitchers at the House and walk in the Student entrance while the Guard laughed.

Seeing the Reck touring the campus before the game.

Waffle House afterwards (included San Antonio Final 4 in 2004 and Miami 6 months ago).

1. Wake up around 5 AM, shower, put on my Swarm shirt and my amaaazing white and gold checkered Chucks (navy with gold polka dots inside).
2. Walk from west campus to the stadium playing fight songs on my iPod.
3. Sit. And wait.
4. Wait for parents to eventually show up and bring tailgating food from their party with their friends on the corner of Bobby Dodd and Techwood. We’re honestly not sure how they keep getting that spot for their RV, other than the fact that our friend’s name coincidentally matches one of the Hall of Famer’s names inside the stadium. None of our friends even went to Tech lol.
5. 2 hours before kickoff, I bribe someone with the aforementioned tailgating food to save my spot in line so I can cheer on our guys during Players’ Walk.
6. Shove my way back to the front of the line and sprint like hell to get to the front row.

Now, I’ve graduated and moved across the country, so it’s time to build some new traditions.

it is just a Football Game!